Cristiano Ronaldo Asks For Transfer After Receiving 'Loyalty' Bonus

Summary

• Man United gave Cristiano Ronaldo a six-figure bonus at the end of June 
• Days after accepting the payment, he informed them he wanted to leave 
• Ronaldo was reportedly upset that his weekly wage was cut

More details are emerging about the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga. The football superstar reportedly took a six-figure bonus from Manchester United before notifying them he wanted to leave the club. 

Sources say the bonus payment was awarded to Ronaldo at the end of June after completing the first year of his contract with the soccer club. It was also part of the agreement he signed when he moved to Man United from Juventus. 

Not a “Loyalty” Bonus

Just a few days after getting the hefty windfall and when all contracts were set to renew, news erupted that the 37-year-old was requesting a transfer. The timing of the announcement of Ronaldo’s exit request is now being questioned, with some speculating that Manchester United could have already been made aware weeks ago of the 37-year-old’s desire to leave Old Trafford. 

Club insiders are insisting that Ronaldo has done nothing wrong and that the six-figure sum he accepted was not necessarily a loyalty reward, as a huge portion of the payment accounted for multiple image rights as well as payouts linked to Ronaldo’s goal stats in the previous season during which he scored 24 goals in 38 appearances for Man United.     

Ronaldo did not turn up during the first day of the club’s pre-season training last week due to “family reasons“. It was around that time it was made public that he had asked United to let him go. 

Pay Cut Could Have Pushed Ronaldo to Leave  

Man United has publicly maintained that the Portuguese superstar is not for sale and is still under contract with the club till next season, but in private, officials are reportedly preparing for his exit and are on the lookout for potential replacements.  

The Ronaldo situation must be dealt with promptly and decisively, according to English football pundit Gary Neville who played as right-back for Man United and did not transfer to another club until his retirement in 2011. The 47-year-old, who now co-owns Salford City, weighed in on Ronaldo’s transfer saga, saying it needs to get some closure to allow the club to focus on preparing for the upcoming season. 

While the reasons for Ronaldo’s decision to move on from Man United are unknown, there are rumors the football legend might have been left disappointed after his weekly pay was cut owing to the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.